You try to prepare yourself for what you THINK is going to happen, but all that preparation doesn't count for much when the reality actually appears. We know the economy is in bad shape, and we know it's greatly affecting just about everything, but still..... Hubby got the word today (was it the grapevine or official? I think it's in the grapevine stage) that his employer will be shutting down their operations for the year some time in October. I'm sure it will depend on the weather, but since October weather is anything BUT dependable, I'm guessing it will be sooner than later that they will close their doors for the year. This usually happens two weeks before Christmas and lasts until mid-January. I'm betting it's going to last a lot longer this time.
So now we're faced with a lot of time off....but no money to allow us to do anything fun or creative. He'll receive a decent unemployment that should cover all our monthy expenses except food, and we've put money away all year in preparation. It'll be okay. But it won't be fun.
I've got lots of fabric for quilt sewing...beautiful stuff, and lots of patterns to choose from. Books from the library are free. Rides to the beach, or into the forests that surround us, don't cost much in gas. Michael has a whole month of hunting season that he can enjoy. And a boat for fishing. Maybe I can get him to spread some of that red rock around the flower beds, and paint a wall or two....and make some baseboards. Or put up the ceiling tile in my sewing room, and paint or wallpaper the walls.
Lots of projects.....lots of time. Maybe it'll be more fun than I thought!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
QUILTING PHOTOS
These are the block-of-the-month quilt blocks for the Mystery Designer Quilt I am doing. Each month the pattern and fabric for one block arrives. The fabric is the beautiful Moda fabric, "Glace'." I am really liking this quilt so far. The fabric is so pretty, and the blocks are fun. It's nice to have only one a month to work on...you don't feel rushed, and you can take your time making sure everything squares up, all the points are there, and the finished size is a perfect 12.5 inches.
These are the flying geese units for the Winter White Schnibble I am working on. There are36 units, to be framed around a single 4" square....the easy part!
The black, red, and white quilt should be laid out where the squares are "on point". I wasn't aware it was incorrect for this photo, and then my batteries died.....so there you are.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009
Good morning! It's another beautiful one. Oh, I love these days that are so fall-like. Crisp, sunny....I mean really, who doesn't? What's not to like? Just for the record, even tho the calendar says it's fall, I have not put out my fall decorations or Autumn Walk scented candle. Nope. The ceramic pumpkins, pitcher filled with autumn leaves, and pumpkin wall hanging have to wait until the calendar turns over to October 1. That's the rule.
I have been busy quilting. And reading. It's a wonder my eyes can focus this morning. Yesterday afternoon I made 76---count 'em---76 flying geese units. Made and squared up. The rest of the schnibble challenge should go together quickly...which is the whole point about schnibbles. The finished product will be about 38" square, I believe, so I'm thinking it will make a table topper...or hang on some small wall space.
Sat up til 11:30 to finish "The Castaways." It was okay....I just wanted to be done with it and on to "The Lacemakers of Glenmara."
Michael working again this weekend. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful he's getting in some overtime. But since next weekend is the Ocean Shores quilt show, I'm hoping he'll be around....or it will be a hasty trip after church Sunday.
Speaking of church....we're thinking of finding a new one. Last weekend we attended a different one, and really liked the service. Which is our main complaint about our current church. Is that enough to make you seek out a new church? Just because you don't like the way the preacher .... preaches? We love the people...we've been there 11 years. I am their sec/treasurer. Michael is an usher. We fit in, we're so comfortable there, I enjoy my work there and feel the Lord is using me...but spiritually, something is lacking. If you find yourself planning your grocery list during the middle of the sermon, isn't something wrong? Is it with ME? Hmmmm. So we're going to look around...visit a few churches and test the waters. I gave a heads up to our deacon board chair, told him that we were looking, and told him why. I think he was stunned...leaving without saying a whole lot. But when I saw him yesterday, I got the whole spiel of how they don't want to lose me (of course they don't....they'd have to find a whole new person to do what I do...for free). He was stressed....depressed...and said he'd have a talk with the pastor on Monday, not wanting to get him riled up before he had to preach on Sunday. I know the pastor....he will not take kindly to criticism. And why should he be asked to change his methods on my account? The congregation is actually growing...strange to me, but true. I guess we all want different things...and so shouldn't we go seeking what we need? I'm praying about it, of course.
Time for shower...breakfast...and sewing on that schnibble. Have a great day!
I have been busy quilting. And reading. It's a wonder my eyes can focus this morning. Yesterday afternoon I made 76---count 'em---76 flying geese units. Made and squared up. The rest of the schnibble challenge should go together quickly...which is the whole point about schnibbles. The finished product will be about 38" square, I believe, so I'm thinking it will make a table topper...or hang on some small wall space.
Sat up til 11:30 to finish "The Castaways." It was okay....I just wanted to be done with it and on to "The Lacemakers of Glenmara."
Michael working again this weekend. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful he's getting in some overtime. But since next weekend is the Ocean Shores quilt show, I'm hoping he'll be around....or it will be a hasty trip after church Sunday.
Speaking of church....we're thinking of finding a new one. Last weekend we attended a different one, and really liked the service. Which is our main complaint about our current church. Is that enough to make you seek out a new church? Just because you don't like the way the preacher .... preaches? We love the people...we've been there 11 years. I am their sec/treasurer. Michael is an usher. We fit in, we're so comfortable there, I enjoy my work there and feel the Lord is using me...but spiritually, something is lacking. If you find yourself planning your grocery list during the middle of the sermon, isn't something wrong? Is it with ME? Hmmmm. So we're going to look around...visit a few churches and test the waters. I gave a heads up to our deacon board chair, told him that we were looking, and told him why. I think he was stunned...leaving without saying a whole lot. But when I saw him yesterday, I got the whole spiel of how they don't want to lose me (of course they don't....they'd have to find a whole new person to do what I do...for free). He was stressed....depressed...and said he'd have a talk with the pastor on Monday, not wanting to get him riled up before he had to preach on Sunday. I know the pastor....he will not take kindly to criticism. And why should he be asked to change his methods on my account? The congregation is actually growing...strange to me, but true. I guess we all want different things...and so shouldn't we go seeking what we need? I'm praying about it, of course.
Time for shower...breakfast...and sewing on that schnibble. Have a great day!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
First day of fall....gorgeous out. Is it really supposed to be 85 today? The furnace did not come on this morning, and it was 65 when we went to bed at 11:30 last night. How one day can be so different from another...
Expecting Sue, my UPS buddy, to be stopping in today with a bundle of fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop. Aster Manor, Mill House Inn, and Rouenneries...some of the delights I can't wait to get my hands on. Tho I'll probably do nothing more than pet them at this point. Fabric so beautiful demands the perfect setting, and so I'll be looking through my patterns to find just the right one.
I've got some Gobble Gobble put away, and should probably be thinking of a quick fall project for that. And of course, it's time to whip up something new for the Christmas holidays...a wall hanging, table runner, something quick.
In two weeks there is a quilt show at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Lots of lovely quilts will be hanging for display...those by Cleo Merrill are always a favorite. The woman has such an eye for color, and she hand quilts everything, which of course is a trait I admire...and practice myself. I wonder if she has issues with arthritis like I do? I sometimes wonder how much longer I will be able to do that.
Besides beautiful quilts to admire, there are vendors of quilting tools, sewing machines, and fabric. My favorite is the Quilter's Roost, a shop out of Everett. Jodi Grenzner speaks my language, and I love shopping her booth. Owners of shops tend to stock what they love best, and I can always find something (many somethings!) I love at Jodi's. I've shopped online with her for several years, and it's been fun to get to know her in person at this annual event.
It's also a day for lunch out with my hubby, who enjoys this event as much as I do.
Expecting Sue, my UPS buddy, to be stopping in today with a bundle of fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop. Aster Manor, Mill House Inn, and Rouenneries...some of the delights I can't wait to get my hands on. Tho I'll probably do nothing more than pet them at this point. Fabric so beautiful demands the perfect setting, and so I'll be looking through my patterns to find just the right one.
I've got some Gobble Gobble put away, and should probably be thinking of a quick fall project for that. And of course, it's time to whip up something new for the Christmas holidays...a wall hanging, table runner, something quick.
In two weeks there is a quilt show at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Lots of lovely quilts will be hanging for display...those by Cleo Merrill are always a favorite. The woman has such an eye for color, and she hand quilts everything, which of course is a trait I admire...and practice myself. I wonder if she has issues with arthritis like I do? I sometimes wonder how much longer I will be able to do that.
Besides beautiful quilts to admire, there are vendors of quilting tools, sewing machines, and fabric. My favorite is the Quilter's Roost, a shop out of Everett. Jodi Grenzner speaks my language, and I love shopping her booth. Owners of shops tend to stock what they love best, and I can always find something (many somethings!) I love at Jodi's. I've shopped online with her for several years, and it's been fun to get to know her in person at this annual event.
It's also a day for lunch out with my hubby, who enjoys this event as much as I do.
Monday, September 21, 2009
READY FOR THE SEASON
Fall. Tomorrow. I'm ready.
The furnace was running when I got up this morning, and soon it will be the time of a constant fire in the fireplace...the scent of wood smoke in the air, dust all over everything, and lots of little critters running around that come in with the wood. Yes, it has it's drawbacks, but it's lovely heat....and it smells so good!
I've got lots of books requested from the library, and now that I have finished with Farm Town on Face Book, I actually am taking the time to get some reading done. (How sad that a silly, addictive game could take up so much of one's time. And while you expect that of kids, perhaps, it's REALLY sad that a woman of my age would get hooked on something like that. Believe me, it was more of a chore at the end, but coupled with a determination to get to the finish. Which I did.)
Anyway, I have just finished reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." What a fun, interesting, and educational read that was. The book takes place in England (Guernsey on the Channel Islands, to be exact) the year after WWII ends, and the story is told entirely in letters. It was fascinating to learn about life under German occupation as told through the eyes of the villagers, but there is much humor and a good story-line also. And of course there is that beautiful English language...so poetic...so genteel...it's a real shame we don't talk like that any more. I heartily recommend the book.
I've got lots of quilt projects going, and lots of new fabrics on the way. I'm doing a wonderful BOM (Block-of-the-month) in Glace' fabric, and have also joined in "A Year of Schnibbles"....one project a month using a Schnibble pattern from Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. What's a schnibble? Technically a scrap of fabric...and these are small projects. Do-able in a weekend, I suppose, if one is dedicated. I also have the black, red, and white quilt to finish...border to put on, and then layer for quilting.
TWICE I have begun and then rejected a quilt I'm making (or not making, as the case may be) for the newest addition to the family. I don't understand it. I'm not sure why this project has been fighting me, and when I figure it out, I will begin again. Maybe.
The furnace was running when I got up this morning, and soon it will be the time of a constant fire in the fireplace...the scent of wood smoke in the air, dust all over everything, and lots of little critters running around that come in with the wood. Yes, it has it's drawbacks, but it's lovely heat....and it smells so good!
I've got lots of books requested from the library, and now that I have finished with Farm Town on Face Book, I actually am taking the time to get some reading done. (How sad that a silly, addictive game could take up so much of one's time. And while you expect that of kids, perhaps, it's REALLY sad that a woman of my age would get hooked on something like that. Believe me, it was more of a chore at the end, but coupled with a determination to get to the finish. Which I did.)
Anyway, I have just finished reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." What a fun, interesting, and educational read that was. The book takes place in England (Guernsey on the Channel Islands, to be exact) the year after WWII ends, and the story is told entirely in letters. It was fascinating to learn about life under German occupation as told through the eyes of the villagers, but there is much humor and a good story-line also. And of course there is that beautiful English language...so poetic...so genteel...it's a real shame we don't talk like that any more. I heartily recommend the book.
I've got lots of quilt projects going, and lots of new fabrics on the way. I'm doing a wonderful BOM (Block-of-the-month) in Glace' fabric, and have also joined in "A Year of Schnibbles"....one project a month using a Schnibble pattern from Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. What's a schnibble? Technically a scrap of fabric...and these are small projects. Do-able in a weekend, I suppose, if one is dedicated. I also have the black, red, and white quilt to finish...border to put on, and then layer for quilting.
TWICE I have begun and then rejected a quilt I'm making (or not making, as the case may be) for the newest addition to the family. I don't understand it. I'm not sure why this project has been fighting me, and when I figure it out, I will begin again. Maybe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)